Three Kingdoms

  Chapter 2572 Talented people

  Confucius said: "Don't worry about widows, but worry about inequality." 』

   It can be seen from this that the lack of people's hearts is often due to comparison.

  Cai Mao was like this back then.

   It is the same now.

  During the Battle of Jingzhou, Cai Mao was considered to be a Jingzhou gentry who firmly relied on Cao Cao.

Perhaps it was because Cai Mao had some friendship with Cao Cao before, a deeper friendship than Fei Qian, or maybe it was because Cao Cao was closer to Jingzhou at that time, and Fei Qian had a dispensable attitude, but no matter how you say it, Cai Mao In the end, he pulled many people and joined Cao Cao together, and maintained most of his strength in Jingzhou.

  So, Cai Hao's contribution to Cao Cao's battle of Jingzhou is not insignificant.

  However, Cai Hao's "position" in Cao Cao's political group has always been a bit embarrassing.

Cai Hao is old, his achievements are not small, and he thinks that he is "loyal" to Cao Cao, but he is not as good as Xun Yu in terms of ability, inferior to Xia Hou in terms of status, and inferior to Guo Jia in terms of intelligence. After the war, there was basically no chance of promotion, and he was never promoted by Cao Cao.

In fact, on the whole, the members of Cao Cao's political group have always been mixed, good and bad. Upper allegiance to actually royalist...

  Cao Cao knew this, so some local officials who were local tyrants and powerful surnames were the most greedy in their daily life, and the fish and meat places were successfully listed on the list of rectifying officials this time.

   Is it just the relationship between the gentry, like a spider web.

  Among the people who were dealt with, there are also some who have a close relationship with Cai Mao and have more contacts...

   As a result, Cai Mao inevitably felt a little fluctuated.

   After the Battle of Jingzhou in the past, Cai Mao got a new position.

   But it is not enough, Cai Mao is not alone, he is a representative of a family, so what is the use of being promoted to Cai Mao's vain position alone?

   What's more, it's just Captain Changshui...

  Of course, Captain Changshui's name is not small.

  Changshui Xiaowei is regarded as the establishment of the Imperial Army. It was first established by Emperor Wu of the Western Han Dynasty. He was one of the eight Xiaowei of the Northern Army. Leading Changshui Xuanqu Huqi, stationed in the capital, and concurrently in charge of expedition.

  But now, Captain Changshui is just an empty shell.

   What's more, everyone knows that Cai Mao's talent in cavalry, how can I put it, just like that, who would really let a general with special skills in the navy command the cavalry?

…

  Yes, it's not that I didn't get benefits, but compared with others, it seems less!

   People's hearts change, and they are most afraid of comparisons. This is the crux of the problem!

  People in the officialdom are most sensitive to changes in their status.

  Recently, Cai Hao has also clearly felt that his position in the Cao Clan's political group is not as good as it used to be. Even compared to when he was under Liu Biao, it was far worse.

In the past, although Cai Mao was only a local official in Jingzhou, he was basically the No. 2 figure in Jingzhou after Liu Biao. At that time, even if Cai Mao expressed some ideas that were at odds with Liu Biao, Liu Biao would not easily refute them, and even planned to catch them. Only when you get some braids or something can you speak louder to Cai Mao. And now Cai Mao is in Cao Cao's camp, what number is he?

  In addition, when Cao Cao was rectifying the administration of officials during this period, some of the Yingchuan gentry Cai Mao knew were eliminated, which also frustrated Cai Mao's plan to use these Yingchuan gentry to expand his influence in Cao Cao's political group.

   Even got scared, this old friend turned his back if he said he would turn his back!

  With all these things added together, it is inevitable that Cai Mao will have many thoughts in his mind.

  However, because Cao Cao's resolute actions under the gate of the Xu County Palace during this incident of official administration did indeed deter many people, including Cai Mao. Cai Hao didn't dare to express his thoughts at the moment, but these thoughts were like seeds, which had been quietly planted in his heart, and were gradually growing and sprouting...

  People are sometimes powerful and poor, and it is impossible for anyone to be considerate forever.

  Cao Cao has been paying attention to the movements of Hussar General Fei Qian recently, and he also has to consider the affairs of Jizhou and Youbei.

On the contrary, Guo Jia has always been good at figuring out people's hearts, and he is slightly aware of some of Cai Mao's actions, but Guo Jia didn't express anything directly, but just waited and watched. After all, Cai Hao is also Cao Cao's "old friend". Random speculation without solid evidence is not good.

   What's more, if you just think about it, it's nothing, the point is whether you have done it.

  The changes in Jizhou and Youbei that are more important now have given Cao Cao a headache.

  Cao Cao summoned his advisers to discuss the relevant situation.

   As for these matters, there is actually not much room for negotiation.

   It can be said that the Qinglong Temple discussion really broadened Cao Cao's horizons, making Cao Cao and the advisers under Cao Cao discover that there is actually a war in culture, and Cao Cao and the others have been beaten so hard that they can't hold their heads up.

  The traditional local concept was broken, and Huaxia Sifang was added to it. Cao Cao couldn't help wondering if he was the frog at the bottom of the well, seeing only the world in front of him.

  Of course others don’t know the specific results of the discussions between Cao Cao and the key ministers, but it’s interesting that Cao Cao announced some lists of promotions and promotions before the results of these discussions were reflected...

   Among them was Cai Mao, who was granted the title of Marquis of Hanyang Ting.

  『Hanyang...』

  Cai Mao stared at the imperial edict in his hand, and was silent for a long time.

  …((￣o￣).)…

   At the same time, in the Chongde Hall, the Emperor Liu Xie was also feeling ups and downs and couldn't calm down.

  The light in the hall is a bit dim.

  Liu Xie didn't ask Xiao Huangmen to light more candles. On the one hand, he was showing his diligence and simplicity. On the other hand, Liu Xie knew that if the hall was too bright, it would be difficult for him to find out what was going on outside the hall.

   On the contrary, it is not as dark as the inside of the hall, and then there is a slight sway of light and shadow outside the hall, which Liu Xie can immediately notice.

  Sometimes, light will bring hope, but it is also easy to hide. Darkness will bring fear, and sometimes it will bring courage.

   It's like the contradictory psychology of the emperor Liu Xie.

  Liu Xie was holding a piece of information in his hand, and his face was a little haggard.

  『Liu Ruo…』

  『Wang Tu...』

  『Deng Zhan…』

  Liu Xie felt that the core point he lacked was talent.

   Especially the talents in the outer court.

  What he held in his hand was the list that Cao Cao had sealed these days, and the names he was chanting were some relatively unknown characters who had recently entered the court. Some of these people were from poor families, and some were members of the army. Basically, these people had a relationship with the Cao family and the Xiahou family, but it was not that deep.

If you can find some usable talents from among these people, it will be more or less your next step to rely on, otherwise it will be really difficult to move forward. Just relying on the power of the little yellow gate, you can only maintain it within a small range at most. It can't be expanded at all.

Liu Xie has developed some small yellow gates in the palace. These eunuchs can survive because they are basically attached to the imperial power, especially in the inner palace. Liu Xie is the only person who can immediately decide the life and death of these eunuchs, even The eyeliner inserted by the outside world, once discovered by Liu Xie, is just a matter of death. Therefore, under the absolute power over the inner palace, some eunuchs of the small yellow family that Liu Xiexin developed were loyal, but they just couldn't stretch them.

  『Your Majesty, Dr. Xi has arrived...』

   Liu Xie put the list into his sleeve, "Biography. 』

   Xi Ji came back, with big bags on his head and resentment in his heart.

   This time, he was not on the reward list.

  Some people don’t do things when they are doing things, and they can even shirk the job that they should have assumed, but they must have it when they eat meat, otherwise it will be a dark system and an unfair court...

  Xi Xi felt that the reward this time was very unfair.

  Why didn't he?

   Could it be said that he has been running around for days, isn't it hard? Could it be that he was at fault for not staying in Xu County?

   Simply incredible, incomprehensible!

   After meeting Liu Xie, Liu Xie threw out the list of those he had followed for a long time after the initial greetings, and asked about Liu Ruo, Deng Zhan and others.

Xi Xie roughly guessed what Liu Xie wanted to do, but Xi Xie felt that the people Liu Xie asked were not on the same track as Xi Xie himself, so not only did he not hide anything, but he was very sincere and sincere. Liu Xie said that these people's current positions are relatively low, even if they are promoted, there is no way to form a boost in a short period of time.

  『Prime Minister Cao rectifies the administration of officials, what does Ai Qing think? ’ Emperor Liu Xie asked.

  『Well, huh, huh,』 Xi Xi forced a smile, 『Too much corruption, it’s not beautiful after all. It’s a good thing for Prime Minister Cao to rectify the administration of officials...』

Liu Xie sighed and said, "Nowadays, there are very few talents who are not only noble in character and free from the contamination of official circles, but also outstanding in ability and able to do practical things... Aiqing, why are there always those in the court?" Corrupt officials have higher positions? And Qingliu are often low-ranking, is it because of their lack of ability? 』

  Hearing the emperor's question, Xi Xi looked a little embarrassed.

  Because Xi Ji has always called himself "Qingliu", so the emperor's words mean that his ability is limited?

  Why don’t you express yourself that you are quite capable? Does that mean that you are actually a “corrupt official”?

However, under the current situation, Xi Xi also has to admit that most of the "Qingliu" officials in the imperial court are high-sighted and low-handed, and boastful. If they really want to do something practical, these Qingliu officials often fail to achieve success. up.

  After hesitating for a moment, Xi Xi also sighed: "The Chaozhong Qingliu are indeed lacking in ability. Although they are noble in character, when it comes to doing practical things, they are indeed inferior to those corrupt officials and treacherous officials..."

  『Why is this? Liu Xie asked, "Can Aiqing solve my doubts?" 』

  Hearing the emperor Liu Xie's question, Xi Ji's expression showed some emotion, and he said slowly: "Human nature is greedy, and there are only a very small number of people who can restrain greed in their hearts throughout the ages. In the officialdom, such as fame and fortune, holding power, being tempted frequently, and lacking checks and balances, how many people can stick to their hearts under such circumstances? The so-called people's hearts are not ancient, roughly so. 』

  Emperor Liu Xie had a dignified expression and remained silent, but he also nodded, agreeing with Xi Xie's statement.

  『Reporting to Your Majesty,』 Xi Xi slightly raised his head to look at the emperor, and said slowly, 『Why are Qingliu mostly useless? It seems that corrupt officials can do practical things? But that’s not the case, it’s not that there are no clean officials who are capable, willing to do things, and flexible, and it’s not that they are all corrupt officials from the beginning, but it’s hard to be alone...』

"how do I say this? When Emperor Liu Xie heard something in Xi Xi's words, he asked.

  Xi Li cupped his hands, "Your Majesty Shengming, in this officialdom, there has never been a saying of being alone, on the contrary, the position determines everything!" After the general officials entered the official career, most of them started from between 200 shi and 400 shi in the county. My immediate boss...』

   Xi Xi paused for a while, and then continued, "If he still wants to stick to his integrity under such circumstances, he will become a different kind. Naturally, he will be squeezed out and suppressed by others, and it will be difficult for him to be promoted. If he wants to do something practical, the people below will hold back, the people around him will stumbling, and the people above will secretly make things difficult. As a result, he will not only mess things up, but also give others a handle. In the end, he will lose his official position and be held accountable... 』

  The Son of Heaven pondered for a long time, then nodded, "I understand. In this way, the upright officials who are able to do things have been suppressed before they are promoted, and those who are promoted often have chosen to be in the same ranks and to be in the same dust... and these people are more likely to succeed because of the help of cronies The more things you do, the more experience you will have, the abilities and methods you will have, and the promotion will be just around the corner...』

  『Your Majesty is holy. ’ Xi Xi replied.

  Xi Ji's repeated beatings not only disturbed the original mood of the emperor Liu Xie, but also gave Cao Cao a knife, and smeared the names of the previous few, leaving only himself as if he was an innocent person...

  『So, to rectify the administration of officials...' Emperor Liu Xie mused, 'Actually it's just...ahem, I mean, rectifying the administration of officials is actually not very effective? 』

  『Your Majesty is holy. ’ Xi Xi clasped his hands and said, ‘The administration of officials is not achieved in a day. If you want to be honest, you have to have room to use it from top to bottom, otherwise, even if there are individual honest officials, they will often be made things difficult by others and have no power in their hands, and even if corrupt officials are caught again and again, they will still be endless...』

   Xi Xi spread his hands, and almost said, look, I don’t have any authority in my hand. Your Majesty, don’t think about what you have. It’s only right to give me some authority first!

  『According to Aiqing, can it be said that honest and self-respecting officials can't stand out at all? Is it necessary to allow evil to run rampant in the temple, making it even more smoky? Hearing Xi Xi's words, Emperor Liu Xie felt a little unwilling, and asked through gritted teeth.

  Xi Xi's expression was a little helpless, "Your Majesty clearly learned that corruption is not something new today. It was like this in ancient times, it was like that in the Spring and Autumn Period, and it’s the same now. Even if there is some peace now and then, it will only last for a while, and it will not last long... However, if the turbid and clear can flow together and check and balance each other, it will be like the Wei and Wei, and at least the court can be maintained. Stable, the world is peaceful. 』

  『Various and turbid flow together, check and balance each other? Liu Xie repeated, "If Aiqing has any ideas, you might as well tell them." 』

  Xi Li cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty is wise. If you want to let clean and honest officials have a bright future, the best way at the moment is to expand Yushitai! 』

  『Yushitai? 』Liu Xie frowned.

  The Qin and Han censors were responsible for supervision affairs, and the official offices where these censors lived were naturally called the Yushifu, also known as Xiantai, responsible for picketing, impeaching officials, and rectifying the court discipline. In Yushitai, the doctor of the censor is the main official, and the deputy of the censor Zhongcheng is the deputy of the censor.

  『Exactly. His Majesty has learned from you. From the humble minister's point of view, the Yushi Terrace is now empty and can't be used for any supervision..." Xi Xi said in a deep voice, "Yi Lu, there should be one Yushi doctor in the Yushi Terrace, two Yushi Zhongchengs, the doctor In charge of criminal laws and regulations to correct the crimes of hundreds of officials, Zhongcheng is his assistant, there should be three courtyards under it, one is called Taiyuan, and the official is the servant of the censor, who is in charge of inspecting the upper and lower levels of the censor, and the second is the palace courtyard. The servant censor in the palace is the chief official, responsible for the supervision of all officials in the court, and the third is the procuratorate, the supervisory censor is the chief official, responsible for supervising local officials...』

"Major matters are judged, small matters are dedicated, and the world's clean streams are recruited as tasks. If the tasks are complicated, there are support envoys. They can check the good and evil of officials, check the household registration and dispersion, check the lack of work in farming and mulberry, reduce consumption in warehouses, or check demons. Cunning thieves, harming private moths..." Xi Xi has obviously been planning for a long time, and now he has found an opportunity, he talks eloquently, "You can observe the place, be virtuous, filial, and talented. Those who use it are also aware of scheming officials, powerful clans, mergers and violence, the poor and the weak, those who cannot claim for themselves... In this way, the world will naturally curb corruption, and the Qingming Dynasty will sweep away the chaos! 』

   Xi Xi talked very hilariously.

   It seems to be for the big man, for the court, for the emperor, for the common people, but the emperor Liu Xie tasted some other flavors from it...

   It's just that, this taste is also similar to what the emperor Liu Xie wanted to achieve.

  Cao Cao used the banner of rectifying the administration of officials to massacre his knives, and the party united to attack dissidents. The sound was crackling like killing pigs and sheep and setting off firecrackers during the New Year.

The emperor Liu Xie can only be like a child who has no money to buy firecrackers, groping greedily among the remains of firecrackers that Cao Cao let go, to see if he can find a few squibs, to make himself a small firecracker, and to send out some Come with your own voice.

   And now Xi Xi is a suggestion, why bother, why not just set off a bunch of firecrackers yourself!

   Isn’t Prime Minister Cao going to rectify the administration of officials?

  Follow the current to build the Yushitai!

   After all, if everyone does it together, it is the real black skin!

   Xi Xi almost made it clear to the emperor Liu Xie that his own strength is weak, and it is only useful to call more talents!

Liu Xie's gaze changed, and he also guessed that Xi Xi must have his own selfishness in this matter, but at least at this stage, he and Xi Xie's direction is still the same, so this selfishness seems to be okay. within acceptable range?

  『So...very good...』

  Emperor Liu Xie nodded, "I will discuss this matter at the next court meeting..."

  『Your Majesty! Shengming! 』

   Xi green tea made a bang, paid homage, and knocked to the ground.

  (end of this chapter)